“Mouse Gun” Gelatin Testing Results
BY Herschel Smith
7 years, 3 months ago
You’ll notice that I didn’t provide any expansion data. That’s because NONE of the .380 or .38 special rounds expanded at all! All of the bullets except for the two 9mm rounds could have been reloaded and fired. They had no expansion whatsoever.
They made that statement after testing .38 Spl, .380 ACP and 9mm in gelatin covered with several layers of denim. But here’s the problem to me. This data doesn’t comport with what Lucky Gunner found at all. It’s not even close.
If you take a look at Lucky Gunner’s testing protocol and test results, which were performed under tight control and strict boundary conditions, it’s clear that there is indeed expansion of most PD rounds regardless of barrel length. Mind you, some do better than others, and it’s also clear that the higher velocity imparted with longer barrels helps. But I just don’t see anything in the testing done by Active Response Training that even comes close to what Lucky Gunner found.
But regarding Lucky Gunner’s test results, I will offer up a few comments. First of all, the venerable .45 ACP, which I shoot, does well just about regardless of barrel length or ammunition type. Second, there are some good performers and some weak performers for every caliber. But on the average, the high performers seem to be Speer Gold Dot, Winchester PD rounds and Federal PD rounds (such as Hydra Shok).
Finally, I don’t really think anyone who ever gets shot with a .38 Spl round is prepared to call the gun that shoots it a “mouse gun,” even if it has a 2″ barrel.
On August 28, 2017 at 7:46 am, bob sykes said:
Buckeye Fire Arms has this post on the effectiveness of various handgun calibers:
https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alternate-look-handgun-stopping-power
The conclusion is that if the goal is deterrence, making an assailant go away, just about any caliber, including .22 lr, is effective because of the severe pain of the wound. Of course, your .45 ACP will probably kill the assailant.
On August 28, 2017 at 8:36 am, Fred said:
The data agrees with Mr. Sykes. Well above 99 percent of the time in an untrained to semi trained, citizen on citizen gun fight the first shot landed wins regardless of caliber. Time to muzzle on target becomes the single most important aspect of your training as you stand in the check-out line at the dollar store.
But this doesn’t change anything. Still, the weapon YOU are most comfortable with, YOU trust enough to carry everyday, and YOU like to train with is the correct weapon for you regardless of what anybody else says or does, period.
Now, go enjoy the caliber war online because it is fun and funny!
On August 29, 2017 at 1:31 pm, ExpatNJ said:
“If a gunfight occurs, there was a gap somewhere in the security plan.”
– Jim Grover, Street Smarts, Firearms and Personal Security.
If gap occurs, refer to:
“A gunfight is not won by the first shot, but by the first hit” (citation requested).
The ‘bad guys’ don’t want to be hit with anything, regardless of caliber, or even arrows/bolts. Having to go to a hospital ER with a GSW (gun-shot wound) will draw unwanted attention to their chosen livelihood, as well as being potentially livelihood-threatening. A GSW is NOT something they want to have to explain.